2025 OCR GCSE (9–1) History A (Explaining the Modern World)
J410/01 International Relations: the changing international order 1918–
1975 with China 1950–1981: The People and the State
Complete Question paper with Marking Scheme Combined
Friday 16 May 2025 – Morning
GCSE (9–1) History A (Explaining the Modern World)
J410/01 International Relations: the changing international order
1918–1975 with China 1950–1981: The People and the State
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question
numbers must be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer all the questions.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 105.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an
asterisk (*).
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and the use of specialist
terminology will be assessed in questions marked with a pencil ().
• This document has 8 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer
© OCR 2025
OCR is an exempt
[601/8091/2] DC
Charity Turn over
(KS/SG) 342795/8
, 2
Section A
International Relations: the changing international order 1918–1975
You should spend about 1 hour on this section.
1 Outline how the terms of the Treaty of Versailles were intended to ensure future
peace. [5]
2 Explain why Cuba became a focus of tension between the USSR and the USA in the
1960s. [10]
3 Study Interpretation A.
Do you think this interpretation is a fair comment on Neville Chamberlain and his
policies in the period 1937–1939?
Use other interpretations of the events of 1937–1939 and your knowledge to support
your answer. [25]
Interpretation A
From ‘Munich – Its Lessons Ten Years Later’, an essay written by British
historian Hugh Trevor-Roper, published in 1948.
There was plenty of evidence that Hitler was following a policy of aggression,
but Neville Chamberlain was a man of limited intelligence. He simply could not
believe that Hitler was any different from himself. If Chamberlain wanted
peace, so must Hitler. If the evidence contradicted him, he ignored it.
Chamberlain did not want to strengthen the alliance against Hitler, he wanted
to break it up in order to clear the way for his personal diplomacy. The fact that
he acted out of arrogance and stupidity, not out of wickedness, is no excuse.
Hitler flattered Chamberlain by telling him he was the only man he had ever
given in to, and Chamberlain believed him.
© OCR J410/01
2025 Jun25
, 3
4 Study Interpretation B.
Explain why not all historians and commentators have agreed with this interpretation.
Use other interpretations and your knowledge to support your answer. [20]
() Spelling, punctuation and grammar and the use of specialist terminology [5]
Interpretation B
From ‘The Origins of the Cold War’, an essay written by US historian Arthur
Schlesinger, published in 1970.
Neither side made a decision to start the Cold War. It happened because each
followed policies which the other saw as a threat. The USSR thought it had no
choice but to strengthen its security in Eastern Europe. The Americans saw this as
the USSR’s first step towards taking over Europe and so they responded by
declaring their interest in Eastern Europe. This made the USSR think that the USA
was trying to set up anti-Soviet governments in the area. There was a failure of
communication between the USA and the USSR and, as time went on, a tendency
to think the worst of the other side’s actions.
Soviet is another term for the USSR.
Turn over for Section B
© OCR J410/01 Turn over
2025 Jun25
, 4
Section B
China 1950–1981: The People and the State
You should spend about 45 minutes on this section.
5 Describe one example of opposition to Deng Xiaoping between 1976 and [2]
1981.
6 Explain why Mao used propaganda in China between 1966 and 1976. [10]
7
(a) Study Source A.
Why was this poster published by the Chinese government in the early [5]
1980s?
Source A
A Chinese government poster from the early 1980s. The writing on the bottom of the
poster says ‘it’s good to have only one’.
© OCR J410/01
2025 Jun25
J410/01 International Relations: the changing international order 1918–
1975 with China 1950–1981: The People and the State
Complete Question paper with Marking Scheme Combined
Friday 16 May 2025 – Morning
GCSE (9–1) History A (Explaining the Modern World)
J410/01 International Relations: the changing international order
1918–1975 with China 1950–1981: The People and the State
Time allowed: 1 hour 45 minutes
You must have:
INSTRUCTIONS
• Use black ink.
• Write your answer to each question in the Answer Booklet. The question
numbers must be clearly shown.
• Fill in the boxes on the front of the Answer Booklet.
• Answer all the questions.
INFORMATION
• The total mark for this paper is 105.
• The marks for each question are shown in brackets [ ].
• Quality of extended response will be assessed in questions marked with an
asterisk (*).
• Spelling, punctuation and grammar (SPaG) and the use of specialist
terminology will be assessed in questions marked with a pencil ().
• This document has 8 pages.
ADVICE
• Read each question carefully before you start your answer
© OCR 2025
OCR is an exempt
[601/8091/2] DC
Charity Turn over
(KS/SG) 342795/8
, 2
Section A
International Relations: the changing international order 1918–1975
You should spend about 1 hour on this section.
1 Outline how the terms of the Treaty of Versailles were intended to ensure future
peace. [5]
2 Explain why Cuba became a focus of tension between the USSR and the USA in the
1960s. [10]
3 Study Interpretation A.
Do you think this interpretation is a fair comment on Neville Chamberlain and his
policies in the period 1937–1939?
Use other interpretations of the events of 1937–1939 and your knowledge to support
your answer. [25]
Interpretation A
From ‘Munich – Its Lessons Ten Years Later’, an essay written by British
historian Hugh Trevor-Roper, published in 1948.
There was plenty of evidence that Hitler was following a policy of aggression,
but Neville Chamberlain was a man of limited intelligence. He simply could not
believe that Hitler was any different from himself. If Chamberlain wanted
peace, so must Hitler. If the evidence contradicted him, he ignored it.
Chamberlain did not want to strengthen the alliance against Hitler, he wanted
to break it up in order to clear the way for his personal diplomacy. The fact that
he acted out of arrogance and stupidity, not out of wickedness, is no excuse.
Hitler flattered Chamberlain by telling him he was the only man he had ever
given in to, and Chamberlain believed him.
© OCR J410/01
2025 Jun25
, 3
4 Study Interpretation B.
Explain why not all historians and commentators have agreed with this interpretation.
Use other interpretations and your knowledge to support your answer. [20]
() Spelling, punctuation and grammar and the use of specialist terminology [5]
Interpretation B
From ‘The Origins of the Cold War’, an essay written by US historian Arthur
Schlesinger, published in 1970.
Neither side made a decision to start the Cold War. It happened because each
followed policies which the other saw as a threat. The USSR thought it had no
choice but to strengthen its security in Eastern Europe. The Americans saw this as
the USSR’s first step towards taking over Europe and so they responded by
declaring their interest in Eastern Europe. This made the USSR think that the USA
was trying to set up anti-Soviet governments in the area. There was a failure of
communication between the USA and the USSR and, as time went on, a tendency
to think the worst of the other side’s actions.
Soviet is another term for the USSR.
Turn over for Section B
© OCR J410/01 Turn over
2025 Jun25
, 4
Section B
China 1950–1981: The People and the State
You should spend about 45 minutes on this section.
5 Describe one example of opposition to Deng Xiaoping between 1976 and [2]
1981.
6 Explain why Mao used propaganda in China between 1966 and 1976. [10]
7
(a) Study Source A.
Why was this poster published by the Chinese government in the early [5]
1980s?
Source A
A Chinese government poster from the early 1980s. The writing on the bottom of the
poster says ‘it’s good to have only one’.
© OCR J410/01
2025 Jun25
